Democrats May Delay GOP Defense Bill Until Spending Caps Are Lifted

As Republicans celebrate a fast-clearing legislative logjam and early progress on next year’s funding bills, Democrats are working to put a stop to those feel-good vibes—by drawing a line in the sand on defense spending.

In both the House and the Senate, Democrats have lined up against the GOP’s approach to funding the military, raising questions of whether Republicans can get through the appropriations process without making concessions on sequester-level spending.

And should Republicans push their spending bills through the Capitol, Democrats are confident that President Obama will force them back to the negotiating table by vetoing any measures that don’t lift spending caps. “Ultimately the president will not allow Republican leadership to get away with these games,” House Budget Committee ranking member Chris Van Hollen said in an interview Friday. “I’m confident the president will insist on an economy that works for all Americans.”